Wings lose first game to Buffalo, 8-7

BY DAN GLICKMAN

A ninth-inning rally fell just short Monday as the Rochester Red Wings lost the opener of their home-and-home series to the Buffalo Bisons, 8-7.

Trailing 8-5 in the ninth inning in Buffalo, the Wings loaded the bases with no outs before Juan Yepez struck off the roll. Trey Lipscomb then drew a step to bring Darren Baker from the third to make it 8-6, and Riley Adams marked on a ground withdrawal by Jackson Cluff to reduce the lead to one. Although Call from Alex got a walk to load the bases again, Stone Garret hit a groundout to end the game.

SEE MORE PHOTOS OF JOE TERRITO.

The Red Wings (43-37 overall, 5-2 in the second half) got off to an early start, with Yepez hitting his 11th home run of the season with one out in the second inning to give the Wings an early 1-0 lead. They added four more in the top of the fourth, with Cluff driving in two runs with a single to center before Darren Baker drove in two more with a drive to right.

The Bisons (40-41 overall, 3-4 in the second half) responded with eight unanswered points – four each in the fifth and sixth – to take an 8-5 lead that they never relinquished.

Baker led the Wings at the plate with a 3-for-5 night, including a double and two RBIs, while Cluff drove in three and

The Red Wings continue their short three-game road series Tuesday at Buffalo, with the left-hander Andre Alvarez (0-2, 6.28) scheduled to face Buffalo right-hander Chad Dallas (2-2, 5.55). The match starts at 6:35 p.m.